On 2013-06-24 15:40, TikiAno wrote:I started w/ a pieve of wide PVC wrapped in newspaper, rolled a slab around it, then added more clay to build out his brow and features.

My hand-built mug method of choice! I do this for any cylinder larger than 4" in diameter. For anything less, I can usually get away with just rolling the clay without a support form. Loving your mugs!

More progress on a Moai getting carved up today- I'll call him (for now) "Off-Kilter Moai." Shaved off a good amount of clay/ weight, evening up and balancing out his facial features and thinning out the mug (in all the right places). He's leaning a bit to the left (his left, that is)- not unlike a dog who's giving you that "what are you talking about?" look- a little angle to the nod. He's a bit larger than some of the last Moai work I've done- the last photo gives a bottle for height comparison:

He has a bit of stone-texturing going on, look forward to glazing this guy.

I also finished up the latest Art Swap Anthropologist Soup Bowl (Cannibal themed for the Swap)- there's lots of photos on that thread- here are a few details from the final piece (sorry for the re-post of some of these):

Decided to work on a few new 'Stachetiki tiles, this time w/ that black clay. Made two slightly different from one another. They're trimmed up and will hopefully get bisque fired later this week. I know, mustaches may not be the most traditional design feature, my apologies.... Thinking about glazing the entire facade except for the mustache, which would leave it a flat black color... though not sure yet.

Also trimmed more of the leaning Moai. His face is slightly scrunched up, and leaning not unlike a dog who's trying to understand what you're saying (w/ its head cocked to one side). I get this look a lot from both of my dogs.

If he's still wet enough, bump his bottom down (GENTLY!!) on the table on the side that's too high up, so that it flattens that side more so that he's more straight up. And when he dries, you can sand some off the bottom to make him stand straighter. Or you can always add some clay to the low side.
_________________GROG miss Tiki-Kate

Grog, the Moai's pretty dry. The photo was taken at a bit of an angle, it's not really as skewed as it looks (in the photo). I am happy with the progress of shaping/ carving a Moai's face, though, each one seems to evolving (no, that's not a dig at cavepeople, Grog).

Badd, thanks a lot. I've been enjoying your posts, your clay work is out of control. Gorgeous stuff. The cigar store indian and the pineapple vase on your Deviant art page are killer (too).

Wendy, thanks (once again). I'm hoping it's improving. The wheel has slightly distracted me recently, need to get back into carving and hand building. New project is planned, a bit different but definitely tiki.

A few things came out of the kiln today- I have to wait til daytime to get a better shot of the leaning Moai. I really like how the glaze job turned out on the latest Stachetiki tlie (all six layers of glaze):
(Very abstract) shrunken heads:

I have another 'Stachetiki to glaze, was waiting to see how the first one turned out w/ the excessive glaze layers (which is necessary for this black clay). Feedback always appreciated. Thanks for lookin'.